Cambridge International

AS and A Level Physics (9702)

Practical booklet 6

Determination of the centre of gravity of a

shape
Introduction
Practical work is an essential part of science. Scientists use evidence gained from prior
observations and experiments to build models and theories. Their predictions are tested with
practical work to check that they are consistent with the behaviour of the real world. Learners
who are well trained and experienced in practical skills will be more confident in their own
abilities. The skills developed through practical work provide a good foundation for those
wishing to pursue science further, as well as for those entering employment or a non-science
career.

The science syllabuses address practical skills that contribute to the overall understanding of
scientific methodology. Learners should be able to:

1. plan experiments and investigations

2. collect, record and present observations, measurements and estimates

3. analyse and interpret data to reach conclusions

4. evaluate methods and quality of data, and suggest improvements.

The practical skills established at AS Level are extended further in the full A Level. Learners
will need to have practised basic skills from the AS Level experiments before using these
skills to tackle the more demanding A Level exercises. Although A Level practical skills are
assessed by a timetabled written paper, the best preparation for this paper is through
extensive hands-on experience in the laboratory.

The example experiments suggested here can form the basis of a well-structured scheme of
practical work for the teaching of AS and A Level science. The experiments have been
carefully selected to reinforce theory and to develop learners’ practical skills. The syllabus,
scheme of work and past papers also provide a useful guide to the type of practical skills that
learners might be expected to develop further. About 20% of teaching time should be
allocated to practical work (not including the time spent observing teacher demonstrations),
so this set of experiments provides only the starting point for a much more extensive scheme
of practical work.

© Cambridge International Examinations 2014

Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics 9702 2

 Practical 6 – Guidance for teachers

Determination of the centre of gravity of a shape

Aim
To determine the centre of gravity of a shape. Learners will consider the range of an
investigation and practise using a trigonometric function.

Outcomes
Syllabus sections 1.2e, 2.1a, 5.d

Skills included in the practical

AS Level skills How learners develop the skills
MMO collection
Measure length using a ruler
MMO values Measure angle using a protractor
MMO quality of data
PDO table
Collect and record data in a table
PDO recording
PDO graph Draw a graph and determine the gradient
ACE interpretation Interpret the gradient

Theory and method

The cardboard shape is a semicircle with radius r and the centre of the circle is at O.

The centre of gravity of the shape can be found by:

 placing a pin through a hole in the shape close to a corner
 suspending the shape and a plumbline from the pin
 drawing a line along the plumbline on the shape
 repeating from the other corner
 noting the point where the two lines cross

Learners should be familiar with this experiment. A fun way of introducing this topic to
beginners is to use an atlas to cut out shapes of different countries (photocopy or trace and
cut out the shape, don’t cut up the atlas) and find the name of the place that is at its centre of
gravity. Some capital cities are at the centre of gravity of their country.

The result will be that the centre of gravity is at distance y from O.

Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics 9702 3

Physics Practical 6 – Guidance for teachers

If the card is cut to the shape shown below and the experiment is repeated, the relationship
between y and  is
120 r sin θ
y=
πθ
where  is in degrees.

Results

Learners record all of their results.

2  sin  (sin ) /

sin θ 120 r
A graph of y against should be a straight line through (0,0) with gradient= .
θ π

Learners can then see if the measured value of r is consistent with the value calculated from
their gradient.

Note
 The shape will end up with a lot of lines on it and care must be taken to use the correct
lines for the measurement of y for a particular value of .
 Learners are expected to plan an experiment so that at least six sets of readings are
taken at regular intervals over a reasonable range.
 Learners have to decide what the smallest value of 2 to use is.
 Once the card is cut it will not be possible to go back to an intermediate angle or repeat
readings for the larger angles.
 Learners should have access to a new card if they make a mistake early on.
 The graph should be a straight line through (0,0) but the plotted points will not be close to
(0,0).

4 Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics 9702

 Physics Practical 6 – Information for technicians

Practical 6 – Information for technicians

Determination of the centre of gravity of a shape

Each learner will require:

(a) Semi-circular card of radius 145 mm and thickness 0.2 mm

(b) Scissors

(c) 30 cm ruler

(d) Optical pin

(e) Stand

(f) Boss

(g) Clamp

(h) Protractor

(i) 50 cm length of thin thread with a loop at one end and a 10 g mass attached to the other end

Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics 9702 1

Physics Practical 6 – Information for technicians

2 Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics 9702

 Physics Practical 6 – Worksheet

Practical 6 – Worksheet

Determination of the centre of gravity of a shape

Aim

To determine the centre of gravity of a shape.

Method

1. Measure the radius r of the semi-circular card.

2. Use the pin to make a hole close to a corner of the card. The hole should be big enough
for the card to be able to swing freely when the card is suspended from the pin

3. Clamp the pin and suspend the card and plumbline from the pin.

4. Draw a line on the card along the line of the plumbline.

5. Repeat 1, 2 and 3 using a hole close to the other corner of the card.

6. The point where the lines cross is the centre of gravity of the card.

7. Measure the distance y between the centre of gravity and the centre of the semicircle O
as shown.

8. Cut the card as shown.

9. Note the value of 2 and calculate .

10. Repeat all the steps so that you have a new value for y the distance between O and the
centre of gravity of the new shape

11. Change the shape of the card so that you have a set of values for y and 

12. Calculate values for sin  and (sin )/

Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics 9702 1

Physics Practical 6 – Worksheet

Results

Record all of your results.

2  sin  (sin )/

Interpretation and evaluation

1. y and  are related by the expression

120 r sin θ
y=
πθ

where  is in degrees.
sin θ
2. Plot a graph of y on the y-axis against on the x-axis.
θ

3. The graph should be a straight line through (0,0) although your plotted points will not be
close to (0,0).

4. Determine the gradient of your graph line and use the expression for gradient 120r/ to
calculate a value for r. Compare this value to your measured value.

2 Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics 9702